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Frequently Asked Questions


About the Department

How much does it cost to go to NYU?

Estimate of Expenses for Full-Time Undergraduate Students, 2008-2009 academic year

Tuition: $38,874.00
Registration and Services Fee: $2,142.00
*Room and Board: $11,780.00
Books: $700.00
Personal expenses: $1,000.00
Total: $54,496.00
* Includes up to 14 meals per week

Recorded Music students may also be required to pay a non-refundable lab fee each semester.
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I want to become a producer entrepreneur. Wll I only have to take courses in the recording studio?

No. Our goal is to train well-rounded students holistically in three areas: business, production, and history-criticism. As a result, all students in The Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music are required to take common core courses in business, production (including music theory and songwriting) and history & criticism, and toward their training as music entrepreneurs. By the end of the second year of study, students are expected to begin to specialize in one of the areas toward completion of their capstone projects.top

What if I fit in to all of the categories?

While a small subset of multi-faceted music industry titans - like Prince or Moby - are several types rolled into one, we encourage students to narrow their focus while enrolled in the program and specialize in one of the areas: executive training, production training or history-criticism. However, we encourage flexibility: a student who enters the program training to become an executive entrepreneur might discover a love for recording and ultimately emerge as a producer entrepreneur, or vice-versa.
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Will I be trained as a music journalist while enrolled in the department?

The Department of Recorded Music offers a progression of history & criticism courses that students are required to take toward the completion of their major. We also offer a variety of history & criticism electives. Beyond these courses, students may also elect to do a minor or double major in the CAS Journalism department. Speak to your advisor. While enrolled in the department, your advisor will be able to direct you to these opportunities.top

Will I be trained as a performer while enrolled in the department?

While we do not currently offer specific classes in performance training other than ear training and music theory, there are a large number of performance and craft-oriented classes outside the department at NYU that are available to students to take for credit. While enrolled in the department, your advisor will be able to direct you to these courses.top

Is there a music theory requirement?

All admitted students will take Songwriting for Producers, Music Theory for Producers, and Ear Training for Producers courses.  While we encourage our students to continue to take theory classes as electives to further their knowledge, we do not require our students to take intensive theory or musicianship classes since not all of our students are musicians.
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I'm a singer and want to be a recording artist. Is this the program for me?

If you are a performer and you are primarily interested in developing a brand and honing your business acumen and production skills in the effort to establish yourself as a music entrepreneur, this program might be right for you. If your interests, however, are solely devoted to performing, you may be better served at a performance-training program since we do not have a formal performance component.  Many of our students, however, are performers but are interested in the production and promotion aspects of the industry.  They perform for their class projects and collaborate with each other outside of class, but they are responsible, for the most part, for finding an outlet to perform. There are opportunities for performance training outside of the department in one of the many courses offered throughout the University, which students are encouraged to pursue.
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Is there a technology requirement for admission?

We do not require our applicants to have prior recording production experience.  Many do, but we have admitted students with no experience whatsoever.  We will train everyone once they arrive.

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What sort of equipment and software does the department use?

The department runs exclusively Macintosh computers (G4s and G5s) using ProTools HD and LE.  Our Studio 505 console is a 24 input SSL (Solid State Logic) XL 9000 K Series. Our new Studio 510 console is an API Vision 5.1 Surround Sound mixing board with 48 inputs. Both studios are also equipped with a Studer 827 two-inch analog tape recorder and state-of-the-art package of gear and microphones.
Additionally, we have ProTools editing suites using G5s, Digidesign 192 I/O interfaces, and Triton rack modules that students can check out for individual editing assignments. We also have a new 14-station Pro Tools and programming lab. Each station is equipped for an Intel iMac with Pro Tools LE, Logic, Reason, and Abelton Live software.  
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Can I rent out the studio to record my band?

No.  The studio is exclusively for classroom projects, and even Recorded Music majors are prohibited from using the studio for personal projects.

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Can I declare a double-major or minor?

Yes, but it can be very difficult if it is with another Tisch major.  Because all Tisch departments are studio-based, their curriculum follows a strict schedule.  As long as your double major or minor does not interfere with your department work it is not a problem.  All incoming students are assigned a departmental advisor who will assist you with any curricular questions. If you are interested in pursuing a double major or minor, you should start by researching the major/minor requirements online, then speak with an advisory in the secondary department.
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May I study abroad?

Yes.  During the Spring semester of your Junior year or during any Summer semester, you may study abroad at either a Recorded Music-specific program, or you may choose to do an “academic semester” abroad at any of the cities the College of Arts and Sciences at NYU offers.  In this situation, you would be fulfilling general education requirements only.